Electronic Arts announced today that they've acquired Digital Illusions CE (DICE), acclaimed development team and creators of the Battlefield game franchise. Located in Stockholm, Sweden, DICE becomes a fully integrated EA studio dedicated to growing the Battlefield franchise and developing new products for the PC, next generation consoles and other new platforms. The acquisition is effective immediately.

"EA is thrilled to officially welcome this team of incredibly talented people and a globally recognized game franchise," said Paul Lee, President of EA's Worldwide Studios. "The DICE studio has strong opportunity for growth as we build the Battlefield franchise and other new products. We're confident that our creative approach and business leadership principles are well matched to share future success."

Patrick Söderlund, DICE CEO, said,"Being part of the EA studio team is a great step forward that will help us continue to deliver new games and new franchises to DICE fans. We've been working very closely with EA for the past five years and this is a very natural step for us as we move into the next generation of gaming."

Patrick Söderlund will become an EA Studio General Manager, maintaining responsibility for the DICE studio and taking on additional creative responsibilities. The DICE leadership team will continue in their roles in Stockholm.

The acquisition was completed via a merger through which EA acquired the assets and liabilities of DICE. DICE shareholders, representing approximately 2.6 million shares, will receive SEK 67.50 per share in cash, to be paid out on October 16, 2006.

THIS IS NOT A WORRY, just like many developers who have been taken over the production team will just leave and set up another company and possibly make the same games just with a diffrent name, my only worry is EA making us pay to play